Pages

Friday, June 24, 2011

Very first blog post ever!!

Welcome to my brand spankin' new blog! Yes, I decided to venture out into the "new age" and expand my horizons with the social networking. This new found journey I am on is both wonderfully exciting and oh so frightful. I am looking forward to letting my readers peek in on my everyday life. My aim is to write at least a few times a week, if not more. I plan to include behind the scenes, products in the making, before and after, interesting little tidbits, captivating pictures, family events and everyday happenings, and anything else that tickles my fancy.

So, first, let me tell you a bit about myself. I was born in Denver but was raised in Charleston, SC on an island situated right on the Atlantic. I am the oldest of three. My brother is a few years younger than me, is in the Air Force, and got married almost a year ago. My sister just graduated high school and is going to school for veterinary science(....of which I am totally jealous!) I do have an older brother, Ryan, he will be 30 this year but is severely handicapped and I have not seen since I was very young, he lives in Denver with my grandmother.

Growing up, my mother taught me to be well-mannered, literate, and classy. My father taught me to ride horses, drive a hard bargain, and shoot guns competitively. I also learned a great deal of business ownership, customer satisfaction, and people skills through the children's entertainment business we family owned and operated. The "artsiness" came to me on its own. I've always been incredibly crafty and excelled in anything art related.

Let's see, I graduated high school in 2004, went on to attend college, and still felt like my life was missing something....or someone?? The summer of 2006 was when I met my future husband. He was a chef at a 5 star restaurant a long way from home and I was an island native living life day by day. Neither of us knew what kind of rollercoaster we were about to board, but from then on we have been inseparable.

That October we decided to get married. (Yeah, I know....we didn't waste any time....lol!) He found a job across the country, in Rochester, NY. After many careful discussions, we chose to make the move and start our new lives deep in the wine country of Central NY. It wasn't long before we found a house (with 26 acres!) that I fell in love with and we closed in March 2007. That June we headed back home and tied the knot. This sounds so cliché, but that was the beginning of the rest of our lives.

I found a job working at a vet hospital, and worked there for a year. Derek's job didn't end up working out (go figure) and he went on trying to find something to pay the bills in this very poor economic region. After a few odd jobs he started working at Wegman's new restaurant, The Next Door Bar and Grille in October of 2009.

Just before I left the vets we found out we were pregnant with our first son. Born December 19, 2008, Sawyer Lee graced us with his presence. Not even a year later we found out number two was on the way. Another boy, Tucker Ryan, was born May 30, 2010. Both babies were very healthy, and for that I am truly grateful.

So, here we are....Tucker is growing like a weed and just turned 1 and Sawyer is a stubborn, opinionated 2 year old. Our wedding anniversary is this Monday, 4 years! Derek is still working at The Next Door Bar and Grille, which is 55 miles away and costing me a pretty penny in gas.

Since we would rather me raise our children than send them to daycare, that is my job. I am a full time housewife: maid, cook, nanny, zoo keeper, shopper, wife, event organizer, teacher, handyman, gardener, negotiater, nurse, pool boy, accountant, farmer, disciplinarian, yard keeper and landscaper, and, on occasion, all around crazy woman.

To keep me busy (and somewhat sane) I started making home decor. At first, I figured I'd just make them for family and friends, but then, one thing led to another....and, well, here I am! I have an online store, www.RusticCharmDesign.etsy.com, my own Facebook fan page, www.Facebook.com/RusticCharmDesign, my own business cards, craft shows lined up, custom orders coming through the window, and now I'm even starting a blog about my life!

So, yeah, life as a stay at home mom can be pretty hectic. But, ya know... ( and yet, another cliché) life is what you make it!